The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is positioning itself as a regional leader in digital sovereignty, leveraging open-source technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to build secure, scalable, and locally governed digital infrastructure. This strategic shift was prominently showcased at GITEX Global 2025, where global open-source software provider SUSE played a pivotal role in highlighting the UAE’s ambitions. SUSE introduced its SUSE Rancher Prime platform, designed to enable organizations to manage AI workloads across hybrid and multi-cloud environments while adhering to national data regulations. The company also collaborated with industry giants such as Dell Technologies, Intel, Cisco, Pure Storage, and e& to demonstrate scalable AI adoption using open-source infrastructure. Ismail Ibrahim, SUSE’s Sales Director and General Manager for CEMEA, emphasized the importance of infrastructure that is ‘sovereign by design,’ ensuring transparency, security, and national control. The UAE’s focus on digital sovereignty aligns with its broader goal of becoming the Middle East’s AI hub. SUSE is actively working with local partners to develop reference architectures and best practices, facilitating the transition from pilot projects to full-scale deployments. Security remains a top priority, with SUSE offering tools to monitor performance, protect data, and defend against AI-driven cyber threats. As the UAE and Saudi Arabia emerge as priority markets, SUSE is aligning its open-source platforms with national digital agendas, underscoring the importance of open collaboration and trusted technology in building resilient, future-ready infrastructure.